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Vascular factors predict polyneuropathy in a non-diabetic elderly population
Marzia Baldereschi1, Marco Inzitari, Antonio Di Carlo
1Institute of Neurosciences, Italian National Research Council, Florence, Via Madonna del Piano, 10, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy. baldereschi@in.cnr.it
Summary
Vascular factors like peripheral artery disease increase the risk of developing Chronic Idiopathic Distal Symmetric Neuropathy (CI-DSN) in older adults. These findings highlight potentially modifiable risk factors for neuropathy in non-diabetic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Chronic Idiopathic Distal Symmetric Neuropathy (CI-DSN) affects the elderly.
- The role of vascular factors in non-diabetic CI-DSN is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vascular factors and the incidence of CI-DSN in a non-diabetic elderly population.
- To identify independent predictors of CI-DSN.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 2,512 non-diabetic individuals aged 65 and older across 8 Italian municipalities.
- Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of new-onset CI-DSN associated with vascular diseases and risk factors over a 3.8-year follow-up.
- Analyses were conducted separately for men and women.
Main Results:
- 51 incident cases of CI-DSN were documented.
- Multivariate analyses identified age (RR=1.08), leg length (RR=1.05), and peripheral artery disease (PAD) (RR=2.75) as significant predictors of CI-DSN.
- PAD was a significant predictor only in men, associated with a threefold increased risk of CI-DSN.
Conclusions:
- Vascular conditions are associated with a higher incidence of CI-DSN in non-diabetic elderly individuals.
- Age, leg length, and PAD are independent predictors of CI-DSN.
- The findings suggest that potentially modifiable vascular factors contribute to neuropathy development.
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